What to know about British elections that hammered Starmer's Labour Party

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to revive his struggling government following a devastating set of local and regional elections, where Labour lost 1,000 council seats across England and control in Wales after 27 years. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, won nearly 1,300 seats, finishing second in Wales and making significant gains in Scotland, marking a historic shift in British politics. The results were seen as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership, with his popularity plummeting since Labour took power less than two years ago. While Starmer insisted he would not resign immediately, lawmakers like Clive Betts and Tony Vaughan urged him to set a timetable for departure, as British politics allows mid-term leadership changes without triggering a general election. Starmer attempted to signal change by appointing former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance and Harriet Harman as an adviser on women and girls. He plans to address Parliament on Monday to regain momentum before the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, where the government will outline its legislative agenda. Reform UK’s rise was a key story, with Farage claiming the results marked a ‘historic change’ in British politics. The party gained ground in traditionally Labour strongholds like Sunderland and made inroads from the Conservatives in areas such as Essex. However, with only eight seats in Parliament, its success in a national election remains uncertain. In Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) won another term but fell short of a majority, making an independence referendum unlikely. In Wales, Plaid Cymru secured the most seats in the Senedd, though it also fell short of a majority and will likely form the new government. Labour finished third, with outgoing First Minister Eluned Morgan losing her seat. The economy emerged as the central issue behind Labour’s decline, with voters expressing dissatisfaction over economic conditions. The elections highlighted deep divisions in the UK, as semi-autonomous administrations in Scotland and Wales prioritize independence agendas, further complicating Starmer’s governance.